2011 National Inventors Hall of Fame

Every year, the United States Patent and Trademark Office recognizes and celebrates the life-changing advancements in science and the useful arts. On May 4, at the Smithsonian and the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., over 30 living and historical inventors will be honored and inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.

Located at the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Hall has been honoring the men and women responsible for great technical innovations since 1973. Nominated by peers and the public, inductees are selected by the foundation committee based on their contribution to the wellbeing of mankind and the progress of science and the useful arts.

Those who have made outstanding additions to invention and the American system of intellectual property protection are considered for the National Inventors Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award. In the past this award has been given to people such as Senator John Glenn, astrophysicist Riccardo Giacconi, and Intellectual Property Attorney Tom Arnold.

Today, a total of 460 inventors have been honored and given a place in the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Among the group chosen for 2011 are: Steven Sasson (digital camera), Bernard Silver (first bar code), Mary Anderson (windshield wiper), Charles Jenkins (motion picture projector), and George Devol (industrial robot).

The U.S. Patent Office hopes that the continuation of this noble tradition will not only show appreciation to the inventors, but that it will inspire future generations to strive for intellectual and scientific greatness.